Celebrities and sleep apnea: Who do you know?

Were you recently diagnosed with sleep apnea or have a family member who just started using a CPAP device? You’re not alone. In addition to an estimated 20 million Americans who have sleep apnea, there are lots of celebrities (both men and women) who have also publicly shared their struggles with the disease. Who do you know on this list of 20 celebrities?

1. Shaquille O’Neal, basketball player

See the Harvard Medical School video here

2. Reggie White, football player
Died from complications of sleep apnea

3. William Shatner, actor

4. Rosie O’Donnell, actor and comedian

5. Jerry Garcia, musician
Died from complications of sleep apnea

6. Regis Philbin, media personality

7. Roseanne Barr, actor and comedian

8. Quincy Jones, music executive

9. Randy Jackson, musician and music producer

10. John Candy, actor

11. Anne Rice, author

12. Brett Favre, football player

13. William Howard Taft, 27th US president

14. JaMarcus Russell, football player

15. Larry the Cable Guy, comedian

16. Graham Elliot, celebrity chef

17. Justin Tennison, star in reality TV show The Deadliest Catch
Died from complications of sleep apnea

18. Adam Savage, host of Mythbusters

19. George Kennedy, actor

20. Andy Richter, comedian

Sleep apnea is a serious disease. If untreated, sleep apnea can lead to health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Diagnosis can be made in a sleep center or, for some patients, at home. Therapy, like CPAP, can eliminate the negative health effects of sleep apnea.

Did we miss anyone on the list?

Are you concerned that you or a loved one may have sleep apnea? Take our sleepiness quiz and share your results with your doctor.

Sleepiness Quiz

Other posts you may find interesting:

• Treating Sleep Apnea Makes You Better in Bed
• Does CPAP Save Lives?
• What is CPAP? The Difference Between CPAP, APAP and Bilevel
• The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Diabetes
• Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease